Automatic image playback

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to systems and methods for three dimensional imaging of tissue. Systems and methods of the invention receive a three dimensional data set and display a series of coaxial longitudinal images (i.e., each rotationally offset from another around an axis) in sequence, creating a video effect as if the view were scrolling around the tissue.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/710,432, filed Oct. 5, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and methods for three dimensional imaging of tissue.

BACKGROUND

A number of technologies such as ultrasound and tomography are available for three-dimensional imaging. In medical imaging, for example, an imaging system captures a three-dimensional image from a patient for the analysis of bodily tissue. Such systems display the images on computer monitors as two-dimensional pictures.

With a two dimensional display, there are generally at least two approaches to displaying three-dimensional images. Two perpendicular views can be displayed side-by-side, thereby aiding in understanding a three dimensional structure. Another way of showing a three dimensional structure is to show a series of two dimensional views sequentially, allowing a user to see each one in turn to aid in understanding three dimensional tissue structures. Some such displays allow a user to progress through a series of two dimensional images through use of a mouse or keyboard. Where each of the images has an axis in common, the display may appear to rotate as a user uses a keyboard or mouse to increment through the views. In this way, a user can see information about a feature in a patient's tissue (e.g., a plaque) in three dimensions.

A system operator relies on the ability to see information about tissue in three dimensions to use the imaging system most effectively. For example, where a scan reveals a medically significant feature, an operator may need to scroll through a series of views to determine the location of the feature. Since features in biological tissue have irregular shapes, a user may need to see different views to understand the extent of the feature. For example, where a plaque lies along an artery, a system operator may need to consult several different longitudinal views (i.e., cross sections along the artery) to determine the full length of the affected area. This gives the information needed to set up a follow up imaging scan to take a “close up” picture of the plaque.

Since scrolling through different longitudinal views requires the user's interaction (e.g., by using arrow keys or a computer mouse) a user's hands are not free to set up a subsequent “close up” scan operation while scrolling through the two dimensional images. To set up, for example, a start and stop position for a “close up” scan, a user must scroll through the rotating longitudinal display and remember the start and stop positions and then enter start and stop positions from memory. Since it is difficult to control the operation of image capture while viewing a series of longitudinal images, capturing a close-up view of a medically significant feature is imprecise and involves some guesswork or trial and error. As a result, high resolution scans of medically significant features are sometimes directed at the wrong portions of tissue, making proper medical analysis difficult.

SUMMARY

The invention provides an automatic longitudinal image playback system and method for three dimensional medical imaging. Systems and methods of the invention receive a three dimensional data set and display a series of coaxial longitudinal images (i.e., each rotationally offset from another around an axis) in sequence, creating a video effect as if the view were rotating through the tissue. Since the video view plays without simultaneous hands-on operation by a user, a user is free to operate the image capture controls of the system while visually inspecting the subject tissue in three dimensions through the display. Where the tissue includes a feature of interest, the user may establish scan parameters such as a start or stop point while seeing the three dimensional shape, orientation, and extent of the feature in the display. This allows the user to make a high resolution close-up scan that is directed at the feature accurately and with precision.

In certain aspects, the invention provides a method for generating an image of tissue that includes obtaining and storing in a tangible, non-transitory memory coupled to a processor within a computer device comprising a display device a three-dimensional data set representing tissue, composing a plurality of two-dimensional coaxial images from the three dimensional image file that each represent a planar region of the tissue, and displaying via the display device the two-dimensional images sequentially. By presenting the two-dimensional images sequentially, in an order such that each is progressively more rotationally offset around the axis, a video is created in which a cross-sectional view rotates through the imaged tissue. This way, a video can be presented of any three-dimensional image of tissue, such as, for example, IVUS or OCT images, which may include data in the format of a helical array of scan lines.

A video can be provided based on a user's input into a system as obtained, for example, through their interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI). A user can choose points within the three-dimensional image set at which the video should begin and end, for example, by positioning indicator bars within a view that is substantially orthogonal to the video image view. A GUI can further provide tools with which a user can control a video view such as by starting, pausing, stopping, fast forwarding, reversing, or toggling a video to full screen. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for automatically playing a video including a rotation through a cross section of a tissue image, for example, responsive to capturing a data set with a medical imaging system.

In certain aspects, the invention provides a device for generating an image of tissue that includes a memory coupled to a processor and a display device, in which the processor is configured to obtain a three-dimensional data set representing tissue, compose a plurality of two-dimensional coaxial images from the three dimensional image file and representing a planar region of the tissue, and display the two-dimensional images sequentially on the display device.

The processor in the device preferably presents a GUI allowing a user to interact with images and establish parameters for video playback. Based on user input, the processor controls video playback. In certain embodiments, a device of the invention is operably coupled to a three dimensional imaging system such as an IVUS or OCT medical imaging system. A device is provided to create a video showing a slice of tissue in which the slice rotates around an axis, thereby providing three dimensional information about the tissue. In some embodiments, a video plays automatically, responsive to image capture by a medical imaging system or user input.

Aspects of the invention provide a medical imaging system that includes an imaging device usable to obtain image data from a subject and a computer with a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory and a display. The computer is operable to receive the image data and automatically play a video representing a cross-section of tissue of the subject moving through the tissue.

Preferably, the computer plays the video automatically upon completion of obtaining the image data by the imaging device. The system is preferably operable to receive input controlling a subsequent imaging operation while the video is played. The system may include, as the imaging device, an OCT or ultrasound catheter and associated hardware. In some embodiments, the image data is processed by a field-programmable gate array in the system, e.g., prior to receipt of the image data by the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vessel.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of components of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the imaging engine shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a light path in an OCT system of certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a patient interface module of an OCT system.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the motion of parts of an imaging catheter according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows an array of A scan lines of a three-dimensional imaging system according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows the positioning of A scans with in a vessel.

FIG. 10 illustrates a set of A scans used to compose a B scan according to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows the set of A scans shown in FIG. 10 within a cross section of a vessel.

FIG. 12A shows a longitudinal plane through a vessel including several A scans.

FIG. 12B shows the longitudinal plane of FIG. 12A without the A scans.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an image longitudinal display (ILD) in the same perspective as the longitudinal plane shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A.

FIG. 14 illustrates a portion of a vessel.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16A is an illustration of a display including an image of the vessel shown in FIGS. 14-15.

FIG. 16B shows an ultrasound display including an image of the vessel shown in FIGS. 14-15.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a display including selection tools.

FIGS. 18A-18C show a series of displays that present a video.

FIG. 19 is a two-window display according to the invention.

FIG. 20 is a video player display according to the invention.

FIG. 21 shows a video interface in a web browser.

FIG. 22 is a system diagram according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for examining tissue. The invention allows a user to obtain a three dimensional image of tissue in the form of a three dimensional data set representing tissue and view a series of coaxial longitudinal images sequentially. Coaxial longitudinal images represent views of a segment of tissue that are rotationally offset from each other. When these images are displayed sequentially in an order of progressively greater offset from an origin, a video is created of an image rotating through tissue, i.e., a view rotates around an axis, displaying three-dimensional information about the tissue.

Systems and methods of the invention have application in intravascular imaging methodologies such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) among others that produce a three-dimensional image of a vessel. A segment of a vessel 101 is shown in FIG. 1 having a feature 113 of interest. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of vessel 101 through feature 113. In certain embodiments, intravascular imaging involves positioning an imaging device near feature 113 and collecting data representing a three-dimensional image.

Any three-dimensional imaging system may be used in systems and methods of the invention including, for example, IVUS; magnetic resonance imaging; elastographic techniques such as magnetic resonance elastography or transient elastography systems such as FibroScan by Echosens (Paris, France); electrical impedance tomography; and OCT. In certain embodiments, systems and methods of the invention include processing hardware configured to interact with more than one different three dimensional imaging system so that the tissue imaging devices and methods described here in can be alternatively used with OCT, IVUS, or other hardware.

Various lumen of biological structures may be imaged with aforementioned imaging technologies in addition to blood vessels, including, but not limited to, vasculature of the lymphatic and nervous systems, various structures of the gastrointestinal tract including lumen of the small intestine, large intestine, stomach, esophagus, colon, pancreatic duct, bile duct, hepatic duct, lumen of the reproductive tract including the vas deferens, vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes, structures of the urinary tract including urinary collecting ducts, renal tubules, ureter, and bladder, and structures of the head and neck and pulmonary system including sinuses, parotid, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides systems for capturing three dimensional images by OCT. Commercially available OCT systems are employed in diverse applications such as art conservation and diagnostic medicine, e.g., ophthalmology. OCT is also used in interventional cardiology, for example, to diagnose coronary artery disease. OCT systems and methods are described in U.S. Pub. 2011/0152771; U.S. Pub. 2010/0220334; U.S. Pub. 2009/0043191; U.S. Pub. 2008/0291463; and U.S. Pub. 2008/0180683, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In certain embodiments, an OCT system includes a light source that delivers a beam of light to an imaging device to image target tissue. Within the light source is an optical amplifier and a tunable filter that allows a user to select a wavelength of light to be amplified. Wavelengths commonly used in medical applications include near-infrared light, for example between about 800 nm and about 1700 nm. OCT systems can also operate with other light sources such as, for example, a pulsed laser as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,108,030, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Generally, there are two types of OCT systems, common beam path systems and differential beam path systems, that differ from each other based upon the optical layout of the systems. A common beam path system sends all produced light through a single optical fiber to generate a reference signal and a sample signal whereas a differential beam path system splits the produced light such that a portion of the light is directed to the sample and the other portion is directed to a reference surface. Common beam path systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,938; U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,210; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,787,127 and differential beam path systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,337; U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,003; U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,164; and U.S. Pub. 2006/0241503, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a differential beam path OCT system with intravascular imaging capability as illustrated in FIG. 3. For intravascular imaging, a light beam is delivered to the vessel lumen via a fiber-optic based imaging catheter 826. The imaging catheter is connected through hardware to software on a host workstation. The hardware includes an imagining engine 859 and a handheld patient interface module (PIM) 839 that includes user controls. The proximal end of the imaging catheter is connected to PIM 839, which is connected to an imaging engine as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging engine 859 (e.g., a bedside unit) houses a power supply 849, light source 827, interferometer 831, and variable delay line 835 as well as a data acquisition (DAQ) board 855 and optical controller board (OCB) 851. A PIM cable 841 connects the imagine engine 859 to the PIM 839 and an engine cable 845 connects the imaging engine 859 to the host workstation.

FIG. 5 shows light path in a differential beam path system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Light for image capture originates within the light source 827. This light is split between an OCT interferometer 905 and an auxiliary, or “clock”, interferometer 911. Light directed to the OCT interferometer is further split by splitter 917 and recombined by splitter 919 with an asymmetric split ratio. The majority of the light is guided into the sample path 913 and the remainder into a reference path 915. The sample path includes optical fibers running through the PIM 839 and the imaging catheter 826 and terminating at the distal end of the imaging catheter where the image is captured.

Typical intravascular OCT involves introducing the imaging catheter into a patient's target vessel using standard interventional techniques and tools such as a guide wire, guide catheter, and angiography system. Rotation is driven by spin motor 861 while translation is driven by pullback motor 865, shown in FIG. 6. This results in a motion for image capture described by FIG. 7. Blood in the vessel is temporarily flushed with a clear solution for imaging. When operation is triggered from the PIM or control console, the imaging core of the catheter rotates while collecting image data. Using light provided by the imaging engine, the inner core sends light into the tissue in an array of A scan lines as illustrated in FIG. 8 and detects reflected light.

FIG. 9 shows the positioning of A scans within a vessel. Each place where one of A scans A11, A12, . . . , AN intersects a surface of a feature within vessel 101 (e.g., a vessel wall) coherent light is reflected and detected. Catheter 826 translates along axis 117 being pushed or pulled by pullback motor 865.

The reflected, detected light is transmitted along sample path 913 to be recombined with the light from reference path 915 at splitter 919 (FIG. 5). A variable delay line (VDL) 925 on the reference path uses an adjustable fiber coil to match the length of reference path 915 to the length of sample path 913. The reference path length is adjusted by a stepper motor translating a mirror on a translation stage under the control of firmware or software. The free-space optical beam on the inside of the VDL 925 experiences more delay as the mirror moves away from the fixed input/output fiber.

The combined light from splitter 919 is split into orthogonal polarization states, resulting in RF-band polarization-diverse temporal interference fringe signals. The interference fringe signals are converted to photocurrents using PIN photodiodes 929 a, 929 b, . . . on the OCB 851 as shown in FIG. 5. The interfering, polarization splitting, and detection steps are done by a polarization diversity module (PDM) on the OCB. Signal from the OCB is sent to the DAQ 855, shown in FIG. 4. The DAQ includes a digital signal processing (DSP) microprocessor and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) to digitize signals and communicate with the host workstation and the PIM. The FPGA converts raw optical interference signals into meaningful OCT images. The DAQ also compresses data as necessary to reduce image transfer bandwidth to 1 Gbps (e.g., compressing frames with a lossy compression JPEG encoder).

Data is collected from A scans A11, A12, . . . , AN and stored in a tangible, non-transitory memory. A set of A scans generally corresponding to one rotation of catheter 826 around axis 117 collectively define a B scan. FIG. 10 illustrates a set of A scans A11, A12, . . . , A18 used to compose a B scan according to certain embodiments of the invention. These A scan lines are shown as would be seen looking down axis 117 (i.e., longitudinal distance between then is not shown). In certain embodiments, the data collected from the A scans provide a three-dimensional data set representing tissue. In some embodiments, a device of the invention includes an OCT imaging system and obtains a three-dimensional data set through the operation of OCT imaging hardware. In some embodiments, a device of the invention is a computer device such as a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer, and obtains a three-dimensional data set by retrieving it from a tangible storage medium, such as a disk drive on a server using a network or as an email attachment.

While eight A scan lines are illustrated in FIG. 10, typical OCT applications can include between 300 and 1,000 A scan lines to create a B scan (e.g., about 660). Reflections detected along each A scan line are associated with features within the imaged tissue. Reflected light from each A scan is combined with corresponding light that was split and sent through reference path 915 and VDL 925 and interference between these two light paths as they are recombined indicates features in the tissue.

The data of all the A scan lines together represent a three-dimensional image of the tissue. The data of the A scan lines generally referred to as a B scan can be used to create an image of a cross section of the tissue substantially orthogonal to axis 117, referred to herein as a tomographic view. For example, FIG. 11 shows the set of A scans shown in FIG. 10 within a cross section of a vessel. A B scan can be represented as a visual depiction of a cross section of a vessel (see left side of FIG. 16B).

Where a B scan generally represents an image as a planar view across a vessel or other tissue (i.e., substantially normal to axis 117), an image can also be represented as a planar view along a vessel (i.e., axis 117 lies substantially within the plane of the view). FIG. 12A shows a longitudinal plane 127 through a vessel 101 including several A scans. Such a planar image along a vessel is sometimes referred to as an in-line digital view or image longitudinal display (ILD). As shown in FIG. 12A, plane 127 generally comprises data associated with a subset of the A scans. FIG. 12B shows a longitudinal plane through a vessel drawn without the A scan lines to assist in visualizing plane 127 comprising axis 117. As used herein, a longitudinal image preferably is an image of tissue that is substantially orthogonal to a cross-sectional tomographic view. Where an image capture system operates via a one-dimensional motion of an image capture device, a longitudinal image lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to a vector defined by the one-dimensional motion of the image capture device. An ILD is a longitudinal image that includes the axis of translation of the image capture device. For example, in FIG. 12B, plane 127 corresponds to an ILD due to the fact that plane 127 includes axis 117. A longitudinal image is an image in a plane substantially parallel to plane 127.

The data of the A scan lines is processed according to systems and methods of the inventions to generate images of the tissue. By processing the data appropriately (e.g., by fast Fourier transformation), a two-dimensional image can be prepared from the three dimensional data set. Systems and methods of the invention provide one or more of a tomographic view, ILD, or both. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an idealized plane shown including an exemplary ILD in the same perspective as the longitudinal plane shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A. The ILD shown in FIG. 13 can be presented by systems and methods described herein, for example, as shown in the right area of the display illustrated in FIG. 16A.

The image shown in FIG. 13 showing feature 113 and the image shown in FIG. 11 represent planes through tissue 101 that have a spatial relationship to each other. To the extent that the planes have a spatial relationship, the images in FIGS. 11 and 13 can be described as having a spatial relationship. Here, the image in FIG. 11 is substantially orthogonal to the image in FIG. 13. In general herein, in three-dimensional imaging technologies, a tomographic view from a data set is substantially orthogonal to an ILD from the same data set, unless otherwise specified.

Systems and methods of the invention are operable with any compatible method of generating a three-dimensional image of tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems and methods for providing a longitudinal video view from a three-dimensional data set generated using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Operation of IVUS systems is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. IVUS uses a catheter with an ultrasound probe attached at the distal end. The proximal end of the catheter is attached to computerized ultrasound equipment. To visualize a vessel via IVUS, angiographic techniques are used and the physician positions the tip of a guide wire, usually 0.36 mm (0.014″) diameter and about 200 cm long. The physician steers the guide wire from outside the body, through angiography catheters and into the blood vessel branch to be imaged.

The ultrasound catheter tip is slid in over the guide wire and positioned, again, using angiography techniques, so that the tip is at the farthest away position to be imaged. Sound waves are emitted from the catheter tip (e.g., in about a 20-40 MHz range) and the catheter also receives and conducts the return echo information out to the external computerized ultrasound equipment, which constructs and displays a real time ultrasound image of a thin section of the blood vessel currently surrounding the catheter tip, usually displayed at 30 frames/second image.

The guide wire is kept stationary and the ultrasound catheter tip is slid backwards, usually under motorized control at a pullback speed of 0.5 mm/s. Systems for IVUS are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,895; U.S. Pub. 2009/0284332; U.S. Pub. 2009/0195514 A1; U.S. Pub. 2007/0232933; and U.S. Pub. 2005/0249391, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Imaging tissue by IVUS produces tomographic (cross-sectional) or ILD images, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16A and shown in FIG. 16B. Referencing, for example, FIG. 16B, the tomographic image is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal image (an ILD is a longitudinal image).

Systems and methods of the invention provide an operator with an longitudinal video through the sequential display of a series of longitudinal images. In certain embodiments, each image is a coaxial ILD and they are displayed each progressively more rotationally offset around the shared axis.

FIG. 14 illustrates a segment of vessel for reference in subsequent paragraphs. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel shown in FIG. 14. As can be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, example target tissue 201 includes a region of interest 213. An operator may or may not have a priori knowledge of the existence of region 213.

In certain embodiments, a system for three dimensional imaging is operated to capture an image of tissue 201. An electronic apparatus within the system (e.g., PC, dedicated hardware, or firmware) stores the three dimensional image in a tangible, non-transitory memory (e.g., memory 445 in host workstation 433) and renders a display (e.g., on a screen or computer monitor) including at least a first image of tissue 201.

FIG. 16A is an illustration of a display 237 including an image of the vessel shown in FIGS. 14-15, as rendered by a system of the invention. FIG. 16B shows a display similar to that shown in FIG. 16A. The images included in display 237 in FIG. 16A are rendered in a simplified style for ease of understanding. A system of the invention may render a display as shown in FIG. 16A, as shown in FIG. 16B, or in any style known in the art (e.g., with or without color).

In certain embodiments, display 237 is rendered within a windows-based operating system environment, such as Windows, Mac OS, or Linux or within a display or GUI of a specialized system. Display 237 can include any standard controls associated with a display (e.g., within a windowing environment) including minimize and close buttons, scroll bars, menus, and window resizing controls (not shown in FIGS. 16-19). Elements of display 237 can be provided by an operating system, windows environment, application programing interface (API), web browser, program, or combination thereof (for example, in some embodiments a computer includes an operating system in which an independent program such as a web browser runs and the independent program supplies one or more of an API to render elements of a GUI). Display 237 can further include any controls or information related to viewing images or videos (e.g., zoom, color controls, brightness/contrast, pause, stop, play, skip backwards or forwards, fast forward, rewind, position in h:mm:ss) or handling files comprising three-dimensional image data (e.g., open, save, close, select, cut, delete, etc.). Further, display 237 can include controls (e.g., buttons, sliders, tabs, switches) related to manipulating images or videos within display 237 (e.g., rotate, select, invert selection, save selection, save or export video, etc.).

In certain embodiments, display 237 includes controls related to three dimensional imaging systems that are operable with different imaging modalities. For example, display 237 generally may include start, stop, zoom, save, etc., buttons, and be rendered by a computer program that interoperates with OCT or IVUS modalities. Thus display 237 can display an image or video to a user derived from a three-dimensional data set with or without regard to the imaging mode of the system.

Display 237 includes an image of tissue 201. As shown in FIG. 16A, display 237 includes two images of tissue 201, a tomographic view and a longitudinal view, as well as a longitudinal marker 219 across axis 117. In a display according to FIG. 16A, longitudinal marker 219 represents the present cross-section shown in the longitudinal view on the right portion of the display. The invention provides a longitudinal video playback mode. While a video according to the invention is being played, longitudinal marker 219 can be shown rotating around axis 117 as the longitudinal view on the right side of the screen changes correspondingly. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a display 237 that automatically plays a video of the longitudinal display or includes tools to cause such a video to be played.

Systems and of the invention are configured to receive input from an operator that comprises a selection of a portion of an image in display 237. FIG. 17 is an illustration of a display including selection tools. An operator may select part of an image in display 237 by any method known in the art including dragging a mouse pointer over a portion of the display, touching a touch-sensitive screen, clicking a button to confirm a proposed selection (for example, as automatically generated by a computer program), keying in positional data, or through interacting with one or more markers presented in display 237. In certain embodiments, an operator positions one or more of video marker 505 as shown in FIG. 17 to select a portion of vessel 201 to be shown in longitudinal video view 501. A marker 505 can be positioned on screen by any suitable method known in the art including, for example, dragging with a mouse, typing in a value (e.g., of degrees offset from an origin such as an idealized horizontal line), or confirming a selection made automatically such as by a program or plug in that analyzes data in the three dimensional image set.

FIGS. 18A-18C show a series of displays that present a video. As can be understood by visualizing FIGS. 18A-18C sequentially, as longitudinal marker 219 rotates, corresponding longitudinal video view 501 progressively shows different, corresponding portions of tissue 201 (Note that in FIG. 18B, as compared to FIG. 18A or FIG. 18B, longitudinal marker 219 transects feature 213 and that feature 213 is only visible in a longitudinal view in FIG. 18B).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides a window in a GUI that displays a video. For example, where display 237 is presented in a window of a GUI, a video can be viewed within display 237 or can be shown in a new window that opens to display the video, optionally with controls specific to playing video. FIG. 19 is a two-window display according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 19, video player 513 is presented as a window that is dedicated to showing and controlling videos. Video player 513 can be invoked automatically responsive to a predetermined condition, such as capturing a three dimensional image by scanning with a system, or player 513 can be invoked by command of a user.

In some embodiments, player 513 is not rendered as an independent window, but instead “takes over” display 237 for the purposes of playing longitudinal video 501. FIG. 20 is a video player display according to the invention using a substantial number of the GUI elements presented in display 237. As shown in FIG. 20, the visible position of the ILD is indicated by a text label showing an offset in degrees (here, 56 degrees) from an origin (e.g., an arbitrary origin, or the orientation of the first A scan line).

As shown in any example or as can be shown in any equivalent, a video longitudinal view 501 can be presented to the operator of a system. An operator can establish parameters to control playback of the video, such as start and stop position, number of times to loop, duration to play for (e.g., in min, sec, or both), speed, direction, etc. Controls can be presented to the operator in any format. For example, in some embodiments, display 237 includes controls such as a play button (e.g., a green triangle). In certain embodiments, when an operator clicks on a play button (for example, with a computer pointing device like a mouse or by touching a touch screen), and ILD video is presented in loop mode—playing through 360 degrees of ILD data, repeatedly until the operator stops playback (e.g., by clicking on a red square stop button). A user may be given the option for the system to always begin automatic playback after a pullback of an OCT or IVUS system is complete.

A user may optionally control what portion of a series of ILDs is presented in a video. FIGS. 16A-21 generally illustrate a video in which an entire ILD (i.e., with axis 117 in the center) is shown in a video. A video can also be made including only a selected area (e.g., a user-specified rectangle at user-specified dimension and position relative to axis 117) of an ILD. In this way, the view presented in longitudinal video view 501 could be said to “revolve” around axis 117 instead of rotate (axis 117 is outside of the view).

The invention further provides elements via a GUI that can be overlaid onto the longitudinal video view 501 for further functionality. For example, a user may position markers or draw a box with a mouse and the display may provide corresponding measurements of the tissue. An operator may “tag” a portion of a video, such as a portion of an image, and label the portion, for example, with a text image. Thus, when an operator spots a feature of interest (such as a biological feature like a plaque, a medical feature such as a stent, or a system related feature such as a guide wire), a user can tag the feature (e.g., drag the mouse to draw a box around the area) and add a tag, such as a text label. As discussed below, a video may be saved for sending or later viewing. When a feature is tagged, the tagged information is preserved with the saved file and can later be accessed, modified, or viewed. For example, where a plaque or a stent is labeled as such, text can be entered (“plaque AS2023”). If the video is later viewed with a compatible viewer, or is exported and saved with a “text tags visible” setting, the text will then be seen as a label of the feature in question.

While a set of ILDs generally represents 360 degrees around an axis, the ILD angles may not be evenly spaced, nor must they represent a full 360 degree view. In certain embodiments, an ILD set is saved by default that represents a 180 degree view, in view of the fact that each ILD is, by definition, a mirror image of the ILD that represents a 180 degree rotation of it. Thus, the ILD at 190 degrees from origin can be shown by using the ILD at 10 degrees from origin, flipped. By exploiting this redundancy, the computational power and memory required for video processing, playing, exporting or saving can be reduced.

In certain embodiments, a longitudinal video view 501 according to the invention can be saved as a file (e.g., written to a tangible, non-transitory memory) or shared, for example, using the internet. FIG. 21 shows a video interface in a web browser. As shown in FIG. 21, longitudinal video view 501 includes longitudinal marker 219. The views shown in longitudinal video view 501 are prepared from a three dimensional data set representing tissue and captured by a medical imaging system. The primary longitudinal view is a set of coaxial longitudinal views each rotationally offset from the other around an axis corresponding to an axis of translation of an imaging catheter of the imaging system. The video has been saved and made available for viewing via the internet (for example, as shown here, viewable through a web browser), thus enabling a physician or research scientist to effectively communicate medically significant findings.

In some embodiments, a user interacts with a visual interface and puts in parameters or makes a selection related to defining, controlling, or presenting a longitudinal video view. Input from a user (e.g., parameters or a selection) are received by a processor in an electronic device. The selection can be rendered into a visible display. An exemplary system including an electronic device is illustrated in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 22, imaging engine 859 communicates with host workstation 433 as well as optionally server 413 over network 409. In some embodiments, an operator uses computer 449 or terminal 467 to control system 400 or to receive images. An image may be displayed using an I/O 454, 437, or 471, which may include a monitor. Any I/O may include a keyboard, mouse or touchscreen to communicate with any of processor 421, 459, 441, or 475, for example, to cause data to be stored in any tangible, nontransitory memory 463, 445, 479, or 429. Server 413 generally includes an interface module 425 to effectuate communication over network 409 or write data to data file 417.

Processors suitable for the execution of computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processor of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more tangible, non-transitory memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, solid state drive (SSD), and flash memory devices); magnetic disks, (e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); magneto-optical disks; and optical disks (e.g., CD and DVD disks). The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having an I/O device, e.g., a CRT, LCD, LED, or projection device for displaying information to the user and an input or output device such as a keyboard and a pointing device, (e.g., a mouse or a trackball), by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., a data server 413), a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or a front-end component (e.g., a client computer 449 having a graphical user interface 454 or a web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, and front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected through network 409 by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include cell network (e.g., 3G or 4G), a local area network (LAN), and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented as one or more computer program products, such as one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a non-transitory computer-readable medium) for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, app, macro, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages (e.g., C, C++, Perl), and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. Systems and methods of the invention can include instructions written in any suitable programming language known in the art, including, without limitation, C, C++, Perl, Java, ActiveX, HTML5, Visual Basic, or JavaScript.

A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file. A program can be stored in a portion of file 417 that holds other programs or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

A file can be a digital file, for example, stored on a hard drive, SSD, CD, or other tangible, non-transitory medium. A file can be sent from one device to another over network 409 (e.g., as packets being sent from a server to a client, for example, through a Network Interface Card, modem, wireless card, or similar).

Writing a file according to the invention involves transforming a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, for example, by adding, removing, or rearranging particles (e.g., with a net charge or dipole moment into patterns of magnetization by read/write heads), the patterns then representing new collocations of information about objective physical phenomena desired by, and useful to, the user. In some embodiments, writing involves a physical transformation of material in tangible, non-transitory computer readable media with certain optical properties so that optical read/write devices can then read the new and useful collocation of information (e.g., burning a CD-ROM). In some embodiments, writing a file includes transforming a physical flash memory apparatus such as NAND flash memory device and storing information by transforming physical elements in an array of memory cells made from floating-gate transistors. Methods of writing a file are well-known in the art and, for example, can be invoked manually or automatically by a program or by a save command from software or a write command from a programming language.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

References and citations to other documents, such as patents, patent applications, patent publications, journals, books, papers, web contents, have been made throughout this disclosure. All such documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

EQUIVALENTS

Various modifications of the invention and many further embodiments thereof, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the full contents of this document, including references to the scientific and patent literature cited herein. The subject matter herein contains important information, exemplification and guidance that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its various embodiments and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for generating an image of tissue comprising: obtaining, using an intravascular imaging device positioned within a vessel of a patient, and storing, in a tangible memory coupled to a processor within a computer device comprising a display device, a three-dimensional data set representing tissue, wherein the three-dimensional data set representing tissue is a three-dimensional image of a vessel, wherein the intravascular imaging device comprises a catheter including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intravascular imaging element disposed at the distal portion; composing, using the processor, a plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images, each comprising data from the three dimensional data set and representing a planar region of the tissue, wherein all of the planar regions intersect an axis of translation of the intravascular imaging device, wherein each planar region is rotationally offset from other planar regions around the axis of translation; and displaying, via the display device and without simultaneous operation by a user, a video comprising the plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images displayed sequentially and looped in a repeated manner through at least a 180 degree rotational offset around the axis of translation from a first of the plurality of two dimensional coaxial longitudinal images.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional data set comprises IVUS image data.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional data set comprises OCT image data.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the three dimensional data set comprises data corresponding to a helical array of scan lines.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering a graphical interface and allowing a user to control display of the video of the two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images displayed sequentially.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically playing the video responsive to obtaining the three-dimensional data set.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving information designating a start point or end point for video playback.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the designation is received through a user's interaction with a display of an image frame representing a region orthogonal to the planar regions.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the video comprises the plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images displayed sequentially through a 360 degree rotational offset from the first of the plurality of two dimensional coaxial longitudinal images.
 10. A device for generating an image of tissue, the device comprising: an intravascular imaging device configured to be positioned within a vessel of a patient, the intravascular imaging device comprising a catheter including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intravascular imaging element disposed at the distal portion of the catheter; a processor in communication with the intravascular imaging device: a display device; and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor configured to: receive, from the intravascular imaging device, a three-dimensional data set representing tissue, wherein the three-dimensional data set representing tissue is a three-dimensional image of a vessel; compose a plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images, each comprising data from the three dimensional data set and representing a planar region of the tissue, wherein all of the planar regions intersect an axis of translation of the intravascular imaging device, wherein each planar region is rotationally offset from other planar regions around the axis of translation; and display a video comprising the plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images displayed sequentially and looped in a repeated manner on the display device, without simultaneous operation by a user, through at least a 180 degree rotational offset around the axis of translation from a first of the plurality of two dimensional coaxial longitudinal images.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the intravascular imaging device is an IVUS imaging device.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the intravascular imaging device is an OCT imaging device.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the three dimensional data set comprises data corresponding to a helical array of scan lines.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to render a graphical interface and control, responsive to input from a user, the display of the video.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically play the video responsive to obtaining the three-dimensional data set.
 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to receive information designating a start point or end point for video playback.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the designation is received through a user's interaction with a display of an image frame representing a region orthogonal to the planar regions.
 18. The device of claim 10, wherein the video comprises the plurality of two-dimensional coaxial longitudinal images displayed sequentially through a 360 degree rotational offset from the first of the plurality of two dimensional coaxial longitudinal images. 